Chapter 11
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Translator: 8uhl
Chapter: 11
Chapter Title: Stone and Magic
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“You look a little surprised.”
“To be honest, I am. I didn’t think you were a demon.”
The woman's tongue flickered mockingly. The concentration of mana thickened in real-time. It was so dense I could feel a stickiness on my skin.
*A demon. This is the worst-case scenario.*
He feigned composure, but his heart was pounding. His mana began to circulate rapidly.
The good thing was, the woman was off her guard.
She knew Galahad was a mage, so it was only natural for her to be careless.
There was a reason the Demon Race was called the natural enemy of mages. A demon's blood was mana itself. Highly concentrated mana, at that.
Normal magic couldn't harm such a creature. A spell had to contain mana more concentrated than a demon's blood—enough to require smoking two mana cigarettes.
“I actually expected you to be a spy from the Allied Nations. Those bastards are quite diligent, after all.”
His mana circulated even faster. He was compressing it through rotation. An excessive amount of compression made a cracking sound—a symptom of mana overload. The heavy mana of the North filled him to the brim.
Galahad glanced behind him. The dumb-looking man was nowhere in sight. He was probably waiting at the door.
He would likely try to take down whoever came out alive.
*Pop.*
A small sound came from near Galahad’s heart. It was a sign that his mana compression had reached its limit.
“So, are you going to beg for your life?”
“Will you spare me if I do?”
“I’ll think about it.”
“Then I suppose I must beg.”
The woman’s eyes widened, as if she hadn’t expected him to actually beg. Then, her smile deepened.
“Ahaha! You fool! Did you really think I'd let you live? You're cute, aren't you?”
The woman's tongue swept across Galahad's face. The sharp barbs on its surface scratched his cheek.
A stinging pain flared, but Galahad smiled.
The distance was now short enough. The woman was laughing foolishly, and his mana was compressed to its absolute limit.
*Now.*
An invisible gust of wind shot from Galahad's hand.
“…Huh?”
In that fleeting moment, the woman twisted her body.
A long line was drawn behind her, and a large gash was carved into the safe house wall.
“Damn. I was aiming for your neck.”
*Thud.* The woman’s right arm tumbled to the floor.
That was my trump card, and all I got was an arm? What a failure.
Galahad sighed inwardly.
To dodge that in an instant… It seemed being a demon made her sensitive to mana. Galahad stored the newly acquired information in his head.
“Aaaargh! How dare a thing like you…!”
“You were the one who lied first. I was angry, too.”
“Die!”
The woman swung her remaining hand wildly. A condensed, formless energy shot from it.
*A lump of mana?*
It was a pure mass of mana.
A lump of mana! A strange light gleamed in Galahad's eyes. Suppressing his excitement, he spread his fingers. Mana flared between them, adding to its volume. He compressed it as much as he could, though it was a poor substitute.
A translucent barrier formed in front of him.
*Bang!* Despite the barrier’s considerable density, the lump of mana shattered it with ease and struck his shoulder.
Galahad was thrown against the wall. An intense pain shot through his back.
“Urk…”
A groan escaped Galahad’s lips.
*Throwing pure mana like that… Is this the power of a demon?*
*Gulp.* He swallowed the saliva that had filled his mouth.
*Interesting.*
In that case, how about this?
“Ignite.”
Galahad muttered softly and snapped his fingers.
An explosion erupted next to the woman's face. Though it detonated at close range, it only made her head turn slightly.
*So basic magic doesn't work.*
To harm a demon, he had to compress his mana to its limit, just as he had before.
He would need to smoke at least two mana cigarettes’ worth, but the woman didn’t seem patient enough to wait for that.
“You slippery bastard! Die!”
The woman swung her arm repeatedly. Heavy, invisible attacks shot toward Galahad.
The excitement that had risen to his head accelerated his thoughts. Without compression, his mana could only stall those attacks for a brief moment.
*I'll have to reduce the size.*
Galahad twisted his hand. He compressed the density as much as he could and reduced the size of the spell itself.
It was a workaround, but it should produce a similar effect. The downside was its incredibly small range.
To use it, he had to be as precise and accurate as a knight with a sword.
The small barrier deflected the energy. Galahad twisted his body at the same time.
*Vwoom.* The compressed wind nearly burst his eardrums.
The wall behind him shook violently. A huge scar was carved into the sturdy surface.
*One mistake, and I'm dead.*
Galahad desperately maintained his composure. For a mage, excitement was poison.
*I can't attack this way. The range is too small.*
As the distance increased, his control over the mana would weaken, making it useless for offense.
Wary of him, the woman didn’t move from her spot. She maintained her distance and continued to fire the formless energy.
Simply deflecting it was enough to make his mana twist. A thrilling sensation spread from his fingertips.
Just then, a stone fell from the ceiling. Annoyed by the stone hitting her head, the woman’s brow furrowed.
She casually shrugged off magic but got annoyed by a mere stone. The thought that his magic was less effective than a rock was absurd to Galahad.
*I see. If it’s worse than a stone, then it should become a stone.*
Galahad looked around.
The interior of the safe house was surprisingly sturdy. Despite being constantly battered by the formless energy, it was only cracking.
Thanks to that, there were quite a few fist-sized stones rolling around.
“Ignite.”
Galahad aimed to the woman's side and snapped his fingers. An explosion erupted beneath her.
“You fool…”
Thinking his magic had missed, the woman wore a sneer.
Just then, a stone kicked up from below struck her in the face. Her head snapped to the side as if she’d been slapped.
“You son of a bitch…”
A venomous look filled the woman’s face.
Galahad snapped his fingers in rapid succession. A series of explosions followed.
Normally, the magic wouldn't have been able to inflict any damage on her, but things were different now.
“Aargh! You stupid mage!”
As a hail of stones rained down from all directions, the woman's face contorted with irritation.
*Fascinating.*
Galahad marveled at this new application of magic. This was the true charm and allure of magic—its uses were limitless. He couldn't help but love it.
“Hey, hold still! I’m trying to zero in!”
Galahad rolled on the floor, snapping his fingers.
Casting magic while rolling on the ground was a sight that would make other mages faint, but for a field agent like Galahad, it was just another day at the office.
This time, a flying stone hit the woman square in the nose. For a moment, her movements stopped.
Her sharp nose collapsed, and blood streamed down. The woman's face twisted into a demonic mask. Her already ugly face became even more hideous.
Just as he was about to comment on her getting wrinkles…
“I’ll kill you! I’ll kill you!”
The woman swung her arm. Formless energy erupted indiscriminately.
Its intensity was incomparably more violent than before.
*Good heavens.*
*Boom! Boom! Boom! Boom!* The formless energy exploded everywhere. It was an invisible disaster.
The ceiling shook and the floor cracked. Thick lines were carved all around, and everything was destroyed.
Getting caught in even a fraction of it would be the end. This was not something that could be blocked with a barrier. The tension made the hairs on his body stand on end.
He was concentrating so hard that the blood vessels in his eyes had burst.
The woman’s hand stopped. The attack had clearly taken a toll on her, as her breathing was ragged.
The surroundings were devastated. The lovely stones had all been pulverized, leaving no trace behind.
Destroying all the stones… It was a truly brutish yet effective method.
“Now what can you do?”
The woman, having regained her composure, grinned. Her face was full of confidence.
Galahad fought back his despair and thought.
*Now what can I do?*
His mind raced. He recalled his experience with the perverted lord from before. He also remembered Adrianna’s electrifying hand.
He had no idea how to replicate what Adrianna had done. As for the perverted lord…
*Ah, there was that.*
Galahad’s gaze fixed on one spot.
A new method came to mind.
It seemed like it would be quite fun.
***
*To think I was wounded by magic.*
The demon Karnchula bit her lip.
Losing an arm to magic was something she would be teased about for the rest of her life if other demons ever heard of it.
*I almost died.*
If not for that momentary premonition, her head would have been blown off.
For a mage, he was exceptionally tricky. Cutting off her arm, attacking her by flinging stones with some bizarre magic—it was all unexpected.
However, he was a mage, and she was a demon.
No matter how he struggled, the outcome had been decided from the start.
Still, Karnchula did not let her guard down. This was the man who had cut off her arm.
Karnchula maintained her distance, slowly wearing him down.
Soon, the man staggered. He was in a pathetic state. Covered in dust and mud, with cuts and scrapes all over his body. It was a wonder he was still standing.
“This is getting boring.”
She had only struggled because his methods were bizarre. Losing her arm at the beginning was merely a product of her carelessness.
She swung her hand lightly, and this time, he couldn't dodge. He fell backward ungracefully.
The fallen man struggled to get up, but he seemed to lack the strength and collapsed again.
The fragrant scent of his blood made Karnchula’s head spin.
“Not bad. For a mage to push me this far… that’s impressive.”
She was sincere. Even if his methods were strange, the fact that a mage had managed to cause her this much trouble was remarkable.
The fallen man coughed up blood. He looked like he could die at any moment.
*This is the end.*
Only then did Karnchula slowly approach.
Karnchula licked her lips as she looked at the twitching man. Where should she start eating him? The head? Or maybe the legs?
“No, no, you can’t die just like this. Hold on a little longer. They say it’s more delicious when you eat them alive.”
“Sorry, but my lifeline is quite tough.”
The man laboriously lifted his head. When their eyes met, Karnchula felt a sense of dissonance.
*Those eyes…*
He was clearly on the ropes, yet his eyes were still calm.
The man raised his hand. Beneath it, a large stone was visible. It had been sharpened at some point, making it as sharp as a knife.
*So he was hiding a trick like this.*
Cute.
Karnchula smirked and covered her face with her arm.
“You fool. How many times are you going to use the same trick?”
*KABOOM!* An explosion erupted. The hot blast tickled Karnchula’s body.
It was just a stone, after all. It wouldn't be able to pierce her arm.
As long as her head wasn’t blown off, it was Karnchula’s victory.
As she was sneering, Karnchula suddenly felt something was wrong. She only felt heat, no pain.
Perhaps she had been needlessly intimidated by his eyes. She clicked her tongue softly and lowered her arm.
But the man was gone. He was right below her a moment ago. Did he run away with that body? Did he really think he could escape?
Just then, she heard a cough from behind her. Karnchula turned her head and couldn’t believe her eyes.
The man was standing where she had been just a moment ago.
*How did he move so fast in that condition?*
The question was answered quickly. The deep burn mark etched into the man’s back was the answer.
*…He detonated the explosion on his own back and used the recoil?*
He had used the same method on himself that he’d used to fling stones at her.
*Crazy bastard.* Karnchula muttered a curse at his dreadful tenacity.
The man was holding something in his hand. It was Karnchula’s severed arm.
“This isn’t usually my hobby, but…”
The man lifted the severed arm high and squeezed it forcefully.
Red blood flowed from the severed end, drenching him.
A mage, drenched in a demon's blood…
At the bizarre sight, Karnchula felt fear for the first time. It was an incomprehensible act.
The blood-soaked man stared at Karnchula.
An emotion finally surfaced in the man’s perpetually calm eyes.
It was—
suppressed ecstasy.
Faced with that vivid desire, Karnchula took a step back.
Belatedly realizing she had retreated, Karnchula’s face contorted.
For her, a demon, to be frightened by a mage…
Just then, the man swung his hand. The blood on it sprayed out in a long arc.
Suddenly, her world tilted upward.
*…Huh?*
No, Karnchula’s eye level had dropped.
A delayed pain shot through her. Looking down, she saw that her leg was severed cleanly below the ankle.
“…What is this?”
Karnchula couldn't understand the situation.
Why? Karnchula frantically twisted her body to look up.
“Ah, so it does work. It’s a method I used before, but your blood has a higher concentration, so it’s actually easier.”
The man’s voice, which had been calm until now, quivered up and down. It was filled with profound joy.
The man limped closer. With each step, he muttered to himself in amazement, a grotesque sight.
Karnchula desperately swung her arm.
The man flicked his blood-soaked finger.
An excruciating pain shot through her left arm.
“Oh, when magic and mana of the same concentration meet, magic has the upper hand. Amazing.”
The man was suddenly standing right in front of her, looking down.
His eyes, unlike before, were not calm.
“Please try your best to endure, and don’t give up quickly like that last guy. You’re a real demon, after all.”
Right?
The man’s voice was very polite.
As if he were making a sincere request.
“What is this…”
Karnchula’s words were cut short.
The man’s hand covered her mouth.
“Shh, I need to concentrate. Please shut your mouth. You talk too much.”
***
*Drenching myself in a demon's blood momentarily increases mana concentration. There's a backlash afterward, but it's manageable. It seems only good things have been happening to me lately.*
Galahad muttered his recent discovery as he opened the door.
As the door opened, the man from before was standing there with his sword drawn. A distinct aura cloaked the blade. He might be clumsy, but he was still an Intelligence Bureau agent.
A look of astonishment appeared on the man’s face. He clearly hadn't expected Galahad to win.
It was understandable. It was a mage versus a demon, after all.
Except that the mage was Galahad.
The sun was faintly rising. His back felt cool. No, it was cold. Refreshing.
“Are you going to do it?”
A look of conflict crossed the man’s face. Guilt surfaced in his expression. Soon, he shook his head.
“No. I mean, this is my fault.”
*He's a good guy. He won't live long.* Galahad muttered dryly.
“Rose was killed by a demon that attacked the safe house.”
Galahad tossed the demon's head he had saved.
*Thud!* *Clatter, clatter, clatter…* With a grim look, the man picked up the demon’s head that had rolled to a stop in front of him.
“…Why are you helping me?”
“Everyone makes mistakes. What’s important is not repeating them.”
Galahad coughed lightly. A spray of blood erupted from his mouth. He felt a little dizzy. Had he lost too much blood?
“I won’t forget this kindness.”
The man said, his eyes filled with determination. Kindness… What a fool. This was a rational calculation.
“I’m Handsome.”
“Is that your agent name?”
“…Yes, how did you know?”
“You look the part. I’m Galahad.”
Handsome frowned. Usually, when one agent revealed their name, it was proper etiquette to offer yours in return. It was similar to office workers exchanging business cards. Galahad purposefully ignored his stare.
“Too much time has passed. I’ll be going now. I just stepped out for a bit during a company dinner.”
He waved at Handsome and slowly walked away.
Only after Handsome was out of sight did Galahad disperse the mana he had gathered in his hand.
After walking for some time, he arrived at the tavern. The door was firmly shut.
It seemed he was too late.
A familiar figure was in front of the building. It was Damian. He was catching snowflakes in his open mouth.
Galahad staggered and sat down next to Damian. His whole body was a mess of pain. There wasn't a single spot that didn't hurt. He let out a small yelp when he leaned against the wall.
“I told you you were going to die.”
Damian's voice was calm. Galahad laughed, a sound like a cough.
“It takes more than this to kill me. Did you eat your fill?”
“Yes.”
“That’s good. Who paid?”
“The man with the slanted eyes.”
“Gilberton? Hah, he’s going to grumble again.”
“He said, ‘You son of a bitch, just you wait.’”
Galahad laughed like he was coughing. Red blood sprayed from his mouth.
A moment of silence followed.
Galahad’s groan broke the stillness.
“Should I kill you?”
Damian asked in a toneless voice.
Galahad knew this was Damian’s way of being kind.
“No, I have too much to do.”
“Alright, then.”
How long had they been sitting there? The door opened violently.
“Aaaaaargh! What the hell!”
Captain Hook leaped back with a scream.
“What took you so long to open the door? You’ll never get rich this way. One bowl of warm stew, please.”
“I’ll have the meat.”
Captain Hook hesitated for a moment, then nodded.
“Welcome!”
A broad smile spread across Captain Hook’s face.
The boy held out his hand, not his sword.
Galahad laughed like a cough and took it.
“Just eat a little. We have to head to the North right away.”
For the first time, an emotion surfaced on the boy’s face.
It was sadness.